Dorset LEP is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Luke Rake to its Board.
Luke Rake BA(Oxon) PGCE FLS is Principal and Chief Executive of Kingston Maurward College, a vibrant and growing land-based College based in Dorchester.
Luke joined Kingston Maurward as Principal and Chief Executive in the summer of 2016, following 10 years at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, most of which as Vice Principal with executive responsibility for all Further Education provision.
An Oxford-educated zoologist, Luke is qualified Secondary range teacher with a specialism in Biology alongside Outdoor Education, and during his career has held roles in both schools and colleges focusing on the upper age range. Within one of the UK’s largest specialist Land-based colleges, Luke oversaw the growth of the post-16 provision within the college from 1000 to 1600+ students, and led the team achieving Ofsted Outstanding status in 2009. During his tenure Hartpury routinely topped the national specialist college’s league tables for student progress and achievement.
He has been both a Head of Biology and Head of Sixth Form, roles which resulted in him being awarded Fellowship of the Linnean Society in recognition for work in promoting biological understanding. Luke sits on the National Data Management Advisory Board for Further Education working with senior partners in government bodies, and until recently was the senior convenor of the Landex National Curriculum Group.
Luke, who will Chair the Dorset LEP Rural Enterprise Group, said: “I am delighted to be joining Dorset LEP. The rural economy makes a significant contribution to Dorset’s economic success and I am looking forward to working with other members of the Dorset LEP board to help increase the opportunities for those who live and work in our countryside.”
Gordon Page, Chair of Dorset LEP said: “We are very pleased to welcome Luke Rake to our board. He brings along a wealth of experience in senior and strategic further education management and his expert knowledge of the rural sector will be of real value to the LEP and Dorset’s rural economic aspirations.”